Registration for the 41st annual Race to Robie Creek kicked off at noon on Monday, and as usual spots sold out in a matter of minutes. This year, nearly 2,500 racers will start at Fort Boise, ascend Aldape Summit, then down to the Robie Creek Park.
Two of those competitors will include Greg Hobbs and his daughter, Margaret. This will be the second time Greg has run the Race to Robie Creek, but the first with his daughter. This year Greg is hoping to beat his previous time of seven hours, just three years removed from a major stroke.
“It's taught me to never give up on myself,” Margaret said.
It’s the life lesson Margaret has taken away from her dad over these past three years.
“They didn't know if he was going to be able to talk or make sound or anything,” she said.
In March of 2015, Greg suffered a major stroke after undergoing a neck adjustment from a chiropractor.
“I couldn't even swallow,” Greg said.
He spent six weeks in St. Luke's Hospital and another seven months in rehab. It’s during those months, he set a goal for himself after looking outside the hospital window.
“They were getting ready for the race and at that time I still had a walker. I couldn't even walk on my own and I said, 'I want to do that race next year,’” Greg said.
One year later, Greg, with his family beside him, stood at the starting line for the Race to Robie Creek.
“I wanted to do it so people could say 'oh, he must be OK,’” Greg said.
It may have taken him seven hours, but he achieved his goal.
“It was my goal to finish,” he said.
After taking last year off, Greg decided he would once again race Robie Creek after his daughter asked him to do it with her.
“I saw him doing it a couple of years ago. He used to climb Mt. Borah every single year and I wanted him to be able to do something like that again with me. So, I wanted to do it with him,” Margaret said.
“I couldn't say no to her,” Greg said.
On Monday, the two were successfully able to register for the half-marathon.
“I want to shave two hours off of my time,” Greg said.
“I'm pretty confident he's going to end up beating me. I'm going to be proud if I'm able to cross the finish line,” Margaret said.
A possibility that seemed out of reach just three years ago.
“I'm very blessed to be able to experience it with him,” Margaret said.
The Race to Robie Creek will take place on April 21 at noon. Spots for the race are sold out, but people can be placed on a first-come first-serve wait list.